Rule of law

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) condemns the suicide bombing and explosion that took place in Sarinah shopping center, Jakarta, Indonesia on 14 January 2016. We express our deep condolences to the victims and the families of those who died as a result of the terrorist attack. Approximately 23 people were victims of the explosion, […]

“AFSPA was imposed after declaring the state a disturbed area. You mean to say that in 35 years of Army presence in the state, the situation has not improved to remove the disturbed area tag from the state? Has nothing changed on the law and order front for the last three decades?” The Supreme Court […]

In this episode of Just Asia, AHRC TV reports from Sri Lanka where the police still appear to consider themselves above the law. Police officers in Embilipitiya killed a young man and authorities responded by simply re-locating the perpetrators to other stations rather than investigating the crime. Just Asia continues to report about the missing […]

Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha has made a rare public statement; he has said the Executive is usurping all the powers of the Judiciary. He called upon all the judges and lawyers to come forward and fight against the Executive’s attempt to control the entire State and its institutions and thereby usurp all the […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the case of criminal charges brought against a senior Corruption Eradication Commission investigator, Mr. Novel Baswedan. The Indonesian Ombudsman on December 2015 has issued a recommendation stating that the police have fabricated evidence and therefore the Chief of National Police has to […]

Hong Kong enjoys a unique position in Asia, being a jurisdiction where the presence of the rule of law is a felt experience among the general public. In this Special Administrative Region of China, though not a democracy in the true sense of the word, everyone enjoys equal protection under the law. Unfortunately, recent events […]

We are publishing today a statement by JayakumarThangavelu ,a retired senior police officer, who held the rank of DIG in charge of legal division about his experiences as an investigator into political crimes and in witness protection. He writes, “In addressing this subject, I put down my experience of forty years in the Sri Lankan […]

The Government has announced another attempt at constitution making in Sri Lanka which, this time is to begin, with the hope to complete the process, by the end of this year. A resolution to this effect has already been introduced in the Parliament and a Drafting Committee has been named. A valid question that begets […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a political activist has disappeared following his arrest, allegedly by Pakistan Ranger personnel. The activist was arrested on 18 November 2015 and has not been produced in any court of law. The missing activist’s wife is pregnant and has threatened that if her […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that the National Database and Registration authority (NADRA), a state regulatory body, has refused to renew the National Identification card of Dr. Shabbir Choudry, allegedly on the instruction of the intelligence agencies. Dr. Shabbir Choudry, a Pakistani citizen, is a well known intellectual of the Kashmiri […]

This week, JUST ASIAhighlights activities conducted by AHRC and it’s partners in the region to mark Human Rights Day, December 10. In Sri Lanka, German Ambassador Dr.JurganMorgardspoke to survivors in Kandy, and in Nepal, AHRC’s Dr.RajatMitra conducteda workshop on Violence and Human Rights. Indonesian human rights defenders marked the Day by gathering in front of […]

A Press Releasefrom Gwangju Human Rights Laureates, Imparsial, IKOHI and the May 18 Memorial Foundation (Gwangju, South Korea) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (12-14 December, 2015) 8 laureates of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, and human rights defenders from Asian region and Indonesia participated in an […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about another execution in Pakistan, planned for December 17, Saturday, which merits wide attention. Muhammed Anwar, the accused, a minor when the alleged crime was committed, who has since spent 23 years on death row, a time that exceeds a life sentence, will be […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is concerned about the ongoing victimization and media trial of Pakistan’s emerging media house, the Bol Media Group. The media network and its parent company Axact, the largest exporter of software solutions and the biggest IT Company in Pakistan, have been forcibly closed by the Federal Investigation […]

A PRESS RELEASE – by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) calls for stay of execution, forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong. Lahore, December 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the President to stay the execution of Syed Saqi Shah who is scheduled to be hanged […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information of the execution of two persons who have already spent 23 years in prison, including 20 years on death row in Adialla Prison. They are to be hanged on December 16, which is the first anniversary of the terrorist killing of 145 children at […]

Basil Fernando I propose that the discussion on a South Asian mechanism for human rights should concentrate more on what such a mechanism could positively achieve, rather than on justifying why such a mechanism is needed. In fact, if its useful goal is achieved for the people and States of the South Asian region, the […]

Please Send the following petition by fax & email to all addresses Mr. Ban Ki Moon Secretary General of the United Nations Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General  United Nations S-378, New York, NY 10017  USA Tel: +1 212 963 5012 Fax: +1 212 963 7055 or 2155 E-mail: ecu@un.org, inquiries@un.org Tel. +1 212 963 7162 […]

A Statement from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission Mr. Thanakorn Siripaiboon, a factory worker in a private company, was arrested from his workplace in Samut Prakan on 8 December 2015. He was accused by Maj Gen Wijarn Jodtaeng and Colonel Burin Thongprapai, legal officers of the National […]

– Basil Fernando Leading human rights activist Basil Fernando faults the government for not pushing the good governance agenda enough: It’s time to come up with a proper implementation plan to investigate and punish those involved in the corruption and crimes that occurred during the previous decades, says leading Human Rights activist, Basil Fernando Chathuri […]